Monday, April 12, 2010

Marijuana Smuggling

New York CBP Intercepts $80,000 Marijuana Smuggling Attempt


April 12, 2010 - Lewiston, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the seizure of approximately 28 pounds of marijuana from a 24-year-old citizen of China and permanent resident of the United States. The seizure resulted in the federal arrest of Mr. Fan Zhang of Malden, Mass.

On April 10, CBP officers encountered subject Zhang, as he applied for admission into the United States at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing in Lewiston, N.Y. The subject advised CBP officers that he was returning from a one-day trip to Toronto. Additional questioning of the individual aroused the suspicion of CBP officers and the vehicle was referred for a secondary enforcement exam.

During the inspection of the vehicle, CBP officers discovered 25 vacuum sealed bags of marijuana concealed behind the back seat. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $80,000.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of New York accepted federal prosecution for violation of 18 USC 545 (general smuggling) and 19 USC 1497 (failure to declare). Mr. Zhang was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pending arraignment.

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